CNET Update

Instagram, Pinterest join the 'buy' button bonanza

The click-to-buy button spreads to more social networks. Meanwhile, Amazon offers free shipping for light items, and Disney creates a new type of tech toy with Playmation.

2:55 / 3 June 2015

Transcript

Social networking is becoming social shopping.
I'm Bridget Carey.
This is your cnet update.
[MUSIC]
Coming soon to a social network near you.
A click to buy button.
This trend is sweeping across the biggest social networks.
Last year, Facebook and Twitter introduced buy buttons.
Google's adding buy buttons in search results and it's rolling out a way for you to go shopping inside a YouTube video advertisement while it's playing.
Now, Instagram and Pinterest are the latest to adopt this revenue generating strategy.
Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, is under pressure to make money, and it's gonna be expanding advertising to more companies, so you could see an ad for a local store.
Ads will have a shop now button, and target you on factors such as age and gender.
As for Pinterest, buy buttons are not a big shocker, the whole site revolves around sharing cool things to purchase.
The network announced that later this month Buy it buttons will start popping up to let you purchase something without leaving the site.
It's launching with two million products, and working with big name retailers like Macy's and Nordstrom.
So, yes, it seems everyone wants to be Amazon.
But Amazon continues to raise the bar.
The king of online commerce now is offering Free shipping on small items like makeup or charger cords, things that weigh less than eight ounces.
The Small and Light shipping program delivers items in three to eight business days.
You don't need to be a subscriber to Prime to get the perk.
It's for everyone.
But if you do pay $100 a year for Prime, Amazon's now including same day deliveries to this service with no extra charge.
But it's just for 14 metro areas, across the US, and you need to spend more than $35 to qualify.
Now let's switch gears to a new type of wearable gadget for kids.
Disney has created a motion sensing toy armband that blends physical playtime with the digital world.
It's called the Playmation, and starting with Marvel's Avengers You can become Ironman by strapping on this gear called the repulser to your arm.
And you get briefed on what to do by Jarvis from a smart phone or tablet app, but you have to turn off the app to start the actual play.
There are these base stations and figurines that you interact with, shooting and blocking shots with different hand motions.
All the while you're encouraged to keep moving and jumping.
Sort of like the concept of laser tag, but now you're in a Marvel universe where the toys fight back.
The starter pack will be $120 when it goes on sale in October.
And coming next year are Playmations for Star Wars to become a Jedi.
And then after that, you can gain Elsa's ice queen powers with a Frozen themed set.
Everyone wants to be Elsa, but, you know, Anna was the real hero, people.
Am I right?
I know.
Let it go.
That's all for this tech news update, but there's always more at nnet.com.
From marsh studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.

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